Newsletter Date

January, 2017
Volume 1, Issue 1
Volume 3, Issue 6

COGVA NEWS
Write the vision and make it plain on the tablet so that it might be read quickly.
Habakkuk 2:2 (LEB)

Table of Contents
Ive Been Thinkin

Southeastern Association
of the Church of God 3
Insights for the New Year
by Matt Holman

Dr. Simeon R. Green

Continues Educational
Pursuit

COGVA Budget

Mark Your Calendar

What is the Children of

Promise Ministry?

Pastor Scott Stedman To Use Gaming

Talent To Raise Money University of VA
Childrens
Hospital
January 13th & 14th,
Staunton First Church of
God will be participating in
a 24 hour gaming
marathon to raise money
for the University of
Virginia Children's
Hospital. We will be
playing a variety of games
from board games, sports,
to video games to help
sick children in our
community. This is a
great opportunity to
fellowship with one
another while playing
games for a cause.
Extra Life, is a non-profit
organization that benefits
the Children Miracle
Hospitals around the
world. Since it's
existences it has raised
millions of dollars to help
children who have cancer,
birth defects, and other
terminal illnesses. In
2016, it has raise close to
$9 million to help children
around the world.
Here are ways you can
help.

Pastor Scott, Laura, and Peter Stedman

1). Come and play games
with us. The whole
purpose of this event is to
have fun, play your
favorite game(s), or find a
new game to love, all
while helping the children
at UVA children's hospital.
You do not have to stay
awake for 24 hours, but
any time you can come in
and play will be worth it.
We ask that you give a
donation to help the
children
2). Donate. You can
donate to help reach our
goal by going to our extralife.org page. You can
also write a check to the

church that will be sent to

the children's hospital.
Join us as we continue to
Grow, Engage, and
Transform or community,
state and World for the
Kingdom by helping
children
Scott Stedman
Lead Pastor
Staunton First Church of
God
540-886-5432
http://www.stauntonfirstch
urchofgod.org

COGVA News

Page 2 of 8

Ive Been Thinkin

Dr. Bob Neace COGVA

State Minister

Abingdon FCOG has a

tradition that spans for
years prior to my arrival as
their pastor twenty years
ago. On the Sunday
evening prior to
Christmas, there is no
formal service. In the
month prior, the church
has been decorated for
Christmas, Christmas
messages have been
preached and carols
honoring the birth of Christ
have been sung.
Christmas programs and
pageants have been
presented. And so, there
is no formal service for
that night.
This night is set aside as a
time for solitude and selfexamination. The
elements of Communion
are available in the front of
the church, soft worship
music is rendered in the
background, and people
are invited to come and
take part in
individual/family
communion, leaving at
their pleasure. This is
usually a well attended
event, and spans an hour
and a half to two hour
window of opportunity. As
the Pastor, I am available
for prayer and counsel,
but most people come and
spend time in family
groups at the altar prior to
taking the communion
elements.
This year, with Christmas
actually falling on Sunday,

we afforded this
opportunity of worship on
Christmas Eve. Once the
time had come to a close,
and my family and I
worshipped together in
prayer and communion, I
decided to stay in the
sanctuary alone. But I
was not alone.
In the quiet of that span of
time, I sensed the
presence of His Holy
Spirit. I sensed the Lord
speaking softly and quietly
to my heart.
He seemed the remind me
of the text to Be still, and
know, that I am God
That passage is the tenth
verse of eleven found in
Psalm 46. As I read the
entirety of that particular
Psalm, I am taken with the
fear and angst of the
author. I can identify with
him. I, along with most
people, can relate to a
feeling of helplessness,
dread, and even woe
about lifes uncertainties.
We live in an uncertain
world, and without the
peace of knowing Christ,
we can be filled with fear
and anxiety. This was
true for the Psalmist, and
it is true for me. But as
this Psalmist reminds

each of us, as the Holy

Spirit reminded me on this
past Christmas Eve, I
have no reason for fear for
my future, but rather I
have confidence in
knowing that God is able
to handle all that my future
entails. The busy-ness of
this time of year can cloud
our hearing from the Lord,
and in quiet conversation,
the Lord spoke to me that
night. I sensed Him telling
me I needed to hear Him,
and not the clanging of all
that goes on around me. I
sensed Him tell me to be
calm in all that happens in
the New Year, and that no
matter what happens, I
should continue to rely on
Him to bring me through.
With Christmas 2016
behind us, and the
potentials of a New Year, I
am resolved to spend
more quiet time with the
Lord in the sanctuary of
my local congregation, I
will look forward to the
words of comfort and
peace He will provide,
both through His word and
through His presence.
Please pray with me and
for me that I never get so
busy I cannot hear Him as
He speaks to me.

Page 3 of 8

COGVA News

Southeastern Association of the Church of God

Continues as Oldest Camp Meeting the Church of God
The Southeastern
Association of the Church
of God celebrated its
123rd anniversary this
past December 26 30 at
Forrest Street Church of
God in Augusta, GA. In
addition to Florida,
Georgia, Mississippi. North
and South Carolina, The
Church of God in Virginia
was well represented.
Rev. Silas Oliver delivered
a message on Wednesday
Morning, and Dr. Bob
Neace gave a presentation
of his perceptions of the

CHOG Round Tables in

Vancouver, Anderson, and
Philadelphia.
Plans are in progress for
the 125th anniversary of
the S.E.A. to be held the
week between Christmas
2018 and the New Year of
2019.
Dr. Simeon R. Green III
was re-elected Chair of the
body, as Dr. Velma Green
will continue another term
as the Financial Secretary
of S.E.A. They and their
leadership, team would

certainly benefit from the

prayers of the saints as
they serve in this capacity
and move forward with
what the Lord has in store
for the future of the
Southeastern Association
of the Church of God.
As an additional note, the
Joynes Road Church of
God has launched its
website. You can check
them out by going to
www.joynesroadchurchofg
od.org.

Rev Silas and Vernetta Oliver,

Dr. Simeon R. Green III, and
Dr. Bob Neace

Insights on the New Year, by Matt Holman

An old year fades out, and
a new one is poised to
begin. This can be such
an exciting time. Or,
depending on your
perspective, an equally
miserable one.
But why?
In a time of transition, why
would misery replace the
excitement of a clean
slate? The truth, for
myself, and I'm willing to
bet a few others as well, is
this- we hold on to too
much of what has already
been. Don't we? I don't
mean just the good things,
those are things that
motivate and encourage
us. But what about the
things that limit you? Our
fears? Self-doubts?

Perhaps sometimes,
during the approach of the
New Year, the thought
that the next year will be
harder than the last, that
we won't have achieved
everything we set out to
achieve, that we won't find
happiness, or peace or joy
this year either... those
thoughts can consume us.
We read articles and see
pop ups and news reports
all the time about how to
lose holiday weight, or
how to avoid the holiday
slumps, but how might we
avoid the spiritual "slump"
that we can find ourselves
in?
- Don't live in "rear-view":

instead of taking brief

glances to check your
surroundings, what will
happen? You'll deviate off
course, swerve, you might
even wreck. In any case, it
isn't safe to do. Your past
isn't for your focus, your
past is for your reference.
Don't live there.
Paul writes, in the book of
Ephesians chapter 4,
verses 22 & 23, that, in
reference to your former
manner of life, you lay
aside the old self, which is
being corrupted in
accordance with the lusts
of deceit, and that you be
renewed in the spirit of
your mind, (Continued on
page 8)

If you stare into the rear

view mirror of your car,
Make the effort to shift
your thinking away from
the "rear-view," and renew
your spirit and mind.

Matt Holman

COGVA News

Page 4 of 8

Dr. Simeon R. Green Continues Educational Pursuit

Dr. Simeon R. Green III continues to further his education. In addition to his previous Doctorate Degree from Oval Bible
College, he has since completed studies resulting in a Certificate of Master Christian Counselor and a Doctor of Divinity
Degree.
Congratulations, Dr. Green!

Page 5 of 8

COGVA News

COGVA Budget
August 1, 2016 December 31, 2016
Categories

Budget

1st Qtr
Expenses

2nd Qtr
Expenses

1000 State Office

1100 Business Office
1200 Insurance
1300 Office Manager
1400 Income Taxes

$3,500.00
$14,800.00
$14,437.50
$3,320.00

$905.49
$3,491.00
$3,609.36
$879.82

$ 424.37
$110.50
$2,406.24
$586.54

Subtotal

$36,057.50

$8,885.67

$3,527.65

1500 Chair

$800.00

Subtotal

$800.00

2000 State Minister

Reimbursement Fund

$16,050.00

$1,423.05

$1,466.56

Subtotal

$16,050.00

$1,423.05

$1,466.56

3000 Executive Council/Standing Ministries

3100 Executive Board
3200 Ministry of Church Service/Credentials
3300 Ministry of Christian Education
3400 Ministry of Evangelism
3600 Ministry of Program
3800 Ministerial Fellowship
3900 Church Property Team

$800.00
$300.00
$75.00
$50.00
$2,000.00
$100.00
$75.00

$
$38.20
$
$
$24.32
$
$

$
$57.85
$
$
$765.64
$
$

Subtotal

$3,400.00

$62.52

$823.49

5000 Property and Maintenance

5110 Camp Bedford
5110 Caretaker
Health Insurance

$5,000.00
$840.00

$1,250.01
$210.00

$833.34
$140.00

5120 Campground Expenses (Maintenance)

Capital Improvements
Vehicle Maintenance

$1,000.00
$750.00
$300.00

$
$
$

$
$
$

COGVA News

Page 6 of 8

Camp Bedford Mkt/Advertising

5140 Utilities

$500.00
$6,000.00

$
$968.59

$
$726.10

Subtotal

$14,390.00

$2,428.60

$1,699.44

5200 Camp Christi

5210 Caretaker
5220 Health Insurance

$26,565.12
$7,000.00

$6,641.28
$1,788.00

$4,427.52
$1,192.00

5250 Utilities
5260 Maintenance
Camp Christi Mkt/Advertising
5270 Capital Improvements
5280 Vehicle Maintenance
5300 Legal Fees
5400 Ministry Expenses
Christmas Bonus

$14,000.00
$4,000.00
$500.00
$750.00
$500.00
$500.00
$300.00
$1,300.00

$4,739.58
$
$
$
$
$48.50
$
$

$1,406.46
$350.00
$
$
$
$45.20
$
$1,300.00

Subtotal

$55,415.12

$13,217.36 $8,721.18

Total Expenses
Total Income
Difference

$126,112.62 $26,017.20 $16,238.32

$23,974.31 $16,067.63
$(2,042.89) $170.69

Mark Your Calendar

January
16th Martin LutherKing Day
28th Mens Ministry Training, Roanke FCOG, 10:00 am, COGVA Chair Rev. Dick Gilbert/Speaker

February
18th 8, 2017 - 12:00-2:00 PM - COGVA CWC Eastern Region Luncheon. Theme: "Moments of Peace" - Speaker:
Minister Lori Egan, Riverside Church of God

March
16th -17th COGVA Ministers Fellowship, Information forthcoming
31st - April 2nd COGVA State Youth Convention

April
28th -29th C.W.C./W.C.G. Convention Riverside CHOG/Fredericksburg

May
21-26 Indoor Camp Meeting/Mounatin Empire District hosted at Chilhowie FCOG

June
28th July 1st Middler Camp grades 1-5

July
10th 15th Junior and Senior High Camp
30th August 5th COGVA State Camp Meeting, Rev. Mitchell Birch, Preaching Evangelist, Rev. Jimmy Crumley, Worship
Evangelist

Page 7 of 8

COGVA News

What is the Children of Promise Ministry?

Children of Promise, Inc.,
was established to provide
financial assistance for
programs to aid needy
children in ministries of the
Church of God* outside
the United States. The
ministry desires to have a
program in every
developing country where
the Church of God has
functioning congregations.
At present, Children of
Promises purpose is
unique within the Church
of God Movement.
Children are the future
leaders of the Church and
the communities of the
world. Many of them are
being denied a promising
future because of poverty,
lack of education, and
disease. Children of
Promise is committed to
providing assistance in
these areas, to introducing
each child to Christ, and to
providing spiritual nurture.
The organization is
committed to helping build
young lives all over the
world that will be
physically and spiritually
healthy, as well as
productive in the Church
and community. Your
sponsorship and donations
work hard to help Children
of Promise fulfill its
purpose.
It is gratifying to see that
children who have been
sponsored for a number of
years are now entering
professional studies, trade

schools, Bible training

schools, and seminaries.
The Children of Promise
sponsorship program has
given them the health
care, nutrition, education,
spiritual nurture, and
encouragement needed to
become servant leaders
and participants in their
local congregations and
communities. This is a
goal for each participant of
Children of Promise.
Thank you to the
thousands of sponsors
and churches who have
and are supporting the
effort to rescue, restore,
and release children
bound by poverty and
despair. HOPE is being
delivered to each child
and that is because of the
wonderful sponsors and
friends who faithfully
support their children and
the ministry of Children of
Promise. God bless you.
*Children of Promise, Inc.,
is affiliated with the Church
of God, headquartered in
Anderson, Indiana.
Children of Promise was
started jointly in 1992 by
the Women of the Church
of God and the former
Missionary Board of the
Church of God (now
Global Strategy). In 2002,
Children of Promise was
granted official non-profit
status. As an independent
non-profit organization, its
ties to the Church of God

are fundamental. Children

of Promise collaborates
with Global Strategy and
other divisions of Church
of God Ministries, Inc., as
it carries out its ministry to
children around the world.
For more information
about Children of Promise,
go to
http://www.echildrenofpro
mise.org/

Insights for the New Year (continued)

Church of God
in Virginia
4704 Roanoke Road
Christiansburg, VA 24073
PHONE:
(540) 268-2040
FAX:
(540) 268-2040
E-MAIL:
brobob4691@gmail.com

cogvaoffice@gmail.com

Make the effort to shift

your thinking away from
the "rear-view," and renew
your spirit and mind.
- Remember that God
does things for you:
I firmly believe God
doesn't do things to us,
He does things for us. For
our growth. For our
benefit. For our character
inside His kingdom. So
the storms you face, the
doubts you have, the fears
you harbor in your heart?
Those are all things to be
transparent about and
unashamed of.

If God has brought you to

a situation, it'll benefit you
in the end, even if it's
outside the plan YOU see
for yourself. Romans 8:18
says, "For I consider that
the sufferings of this
present time are not worth
comparing with the glory
that is to be revealed to
us."
Whatever God is bringing
you through? It'll all be
worth what God is
bringing you to.
- You're not abandoned:
We've just finished
celebrating Christmas,
where we are reminded in

Matthew 1:23 of
"Immanuel," God with us.
What this means for us is
that regardless of what
has happened or what
may happen, we won't go
through it alone. Whatever
you feel you're enduring,
the fact that God came to
us once means He sees
your struggle and doubt.
Your worry. Your fear.
Your sin. And He'll be
there.
May His love and peace
find you in this new year!

About the Church of God in Virginia

Were on the Web!
See us at:
www.cogva.com

The Church of God in

Virginia consists of 50
churches across the
Commonwealth and
according to current
accounting serve over
2,500 constituents each

CHURCH OF GOD IN VIRGINIA

4704 Roanoke Road
Christiansburg, VA 24973

Sunday Morning. Our

current State Leadership
consists of Chair - Rev.
Dick Gilbert, Vice-Chair
Rev. Henry Haskins,
Secretary Sister Cathy

Atkins, and State Minister

Dr. Bob Neace.